Father Gary’s Sermon

Inspired from Matthew 23:1-12

Proclaimed on October 30, 2005

In his book Out of Solitude, Henri Nouwen shares a story about the beloved Pope John XXIII. This was one of Rome’s greatest bishops. He practiced the belief of an active Holy Spirit that inspires the Church now, as well as led all faithful people throughout the ages. This produced some notable reforms in the Church. The most well known was Vatican II, which resulted in many changes. One of the best known is the service of worship being said in the language of the people gathered rather than in Latin. Pope John also ignited the modern ecumenical movement to restore unity to all Christians everywhere. Not as well known about Pope John XXIII was that he was also a very caring and sensitive pastor.

Nouwen recalls an occasion when a very decorated and serious official approached this pope. Looking around and then frowning he asked, “Holy Father, how many people work in the Vatican?” After a short pause the pope responded, “Well, I guess about half of them.”

This story humorously captures what I believe may be the theme running through today’s Gospel reading--the negligence of religious authority. This comes through in Jesus’ critical and cautionary words to the crowd standing before him. First of all, he acknowledges the religious authority of the Pharisees. This is perhaps another way of giving the Devil his due. After all, they had very humble, but laudable beginnings. When the Hellenistic rulers of Palestine a few hundred years before attempted to destroy the faith of the Jews, these were the people who stood against these pagans. They advocated a certain religious purity and many were martyred for their simple faith. Unexpectantly, they were hugely successful. A more numerous and powerful Greek army was defeated and expelled from the land. Afterwards, through the Synagogue movement these Pharisees attempted to bring about the Kingdom of God through rigorous teachings on the Law. They developed massive commentaries, inventing legalistic minutia on what such obedience entailed. Indeed, so oppressive had these expectations become that one could not work for a living and fulfill the Law, as they understood it at the same time. As a result, the Pharisees became a small group of professional teachers who lived off of the wages of others. Their garb became different from that of everyone else. While in the Synagogue they were seated in special chairs in places of prominence. Special titles were also given to them. With this new power they lost sight of their initial mission. In a word, they gave up those initial special toils in order to claim the spoils. Therefore, while Jesus acknowledged the good things about them, he did so with conditions. In a nutshell he told the crowds, “The Pharisees talk the talk, but they do not walk the walk. Therefore, do as they say, but do not do as they do!”

Since that time it is safe to say that humanity has not changed all that much. Indeed, even our precious Episcopal Church falls victim to the dangers of a clergy caught up in professionalism. This can be seen in our seminaries where some of the students begin to take on a certain religious demeanor at the expense of their true personalities and character. It is evident that they are beginning to pursue the most prestigious positions in the Church, along with the accompanying religious titles such as Father, the Reverend, the Very Reverend, the Right Reverend, and the Most Reverend. Indeed, there are so many titles available that they confuse many. As an example, allow me to share an experience I had after conducting a wedding in Pensacola last week. At the reception a man came up to me expressing how beautiful the service was. During our brief conversation he inquired, “How am I supposed to address you?” I responded saying, “Some call me Father, . . . others refer to me as the Reverend Baldwin, . . . some call me Mr. Baldwin, but it is also appropriate address me by my first name--Gary.” Standing by me was Dr. Salem Saloom who tongue in cheek stated, “But the people in his parish refer to him as the Most Righteous One!”

Even the garb that we wear as the clergy is very strikingly different. During a service of worship we wear the same clothes that a fourth century Roman citizen would wear. The rest of the week we wear clericals, which is very distinctive from the apparel of everyone else. Large and expensive crosses often accompany these. These have become the uniform of a professional clergy. All of these taken together can affect today’s religious leaders in much the same manner as the Pharisees that Jesus spoke of so long ago.

The truth is, however, that our Book of Common Prayer presents a very different understanding. For one, each service of worship begins with a processional. This custom comes from the Romans, but with one very distinct difference. In a Roman processional the leader is always at the head. In the Church, however, this custom was changed. The clergy are almost always at the end of the processional. This is based on Jesus’ admonition that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. In essence, those who guide the Church are to be a servant leadership.

The Catechism follows this up with the question, “Who are the ministers of the Church?” It then answers this question by saying, “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.” For many this answer is surprising. First of all, it lists the laity as part of the official ministry of the Church. Secondly, the laity is mentioned first! In essence, their ministries are pre-eminent. They bear the largest burden for the ministry of the Church. Why is this so? For in baptism we all are made ministers of the Church. In essence, the sacrament of Baptism creates the priesthood of all believers. The purpose of bishops, priests, and deacons are to support the ministries that are born by the laity in their everyday work. The work of the clergy is to provide the nurture, encouragement, healing, and strengthening that the laity needs in order to accomplish their missions. As stated in jest by one of my lay friends during a weekend Cursillo talk, “Our clergy are paid to be good, but we members of the laity are good for nothing!”

Putting all of this in perspective is the story of Cincinatus. He was a great Roman general before the time of the Caesars. After vanquishing the enemies of Rome, he chose an early retirement to his farm. Later, a mighty enemy arose and attacked Rome. The government was on the verge of collapse. The Senate sent a delegation to Cincinatus to beg him to lead Rome’s armies once again. He came out of retirement and led the troops to a great victory. Following this, all of Rome wanted to make him their permanent leader. Cincinatus refused. He did not want the trappings of power. His was a servant leadership. Like the leadership of Jesus, his was a call with a purpose. It is the same calling that God has for any who would be a leader of the people of God, that those served may not only do as the leaders say, but also as the leaders do.